Crystal River current., 1887-04-09

ception and ball, and will Immediate.
ly prepare list of all the people !
wish to invite"
Laughing at the wicked ingenuity oi
the plan by which the enemy was to be
crushed BY the mere force OF numbers
OF her allies, / assisted in preparing
the list, which al: eady had become q
very long one, when Miss Wood said,
after q few moments of deep reflec-
tion:
"One name more must be added,
they must be invited"
"Who, May?" l exclaimed, in tone
OF genuine surprise.
.sMr. and Mrs. Edmund Rand" re-
piled May, in a triumphant tone, while
I was speechless from astonishment.
The ball took place to the admira-
tion of all N. 1t was a splendid
affair--in fact it was the greatest
of the kind which N had ever
known. Mr.. and Mrs. Rand
came, and were received with
cold politeness by both father and
daughter. The young man was good
looking, intelligent, and possessed OF
that kind of manner, which betokens
familiarity with refined and cultivat-
ed society. Miss Rand, his sister, was
a charming girl of 20, who seemed
rather, amused at the manner of DIR.
|, Woods and his daughter, but said
nothing.
Young Rand's only revenge for the
GOODNESS manifested by May was ask
ing her to dance, which was certainly
vexatious, for his tone was SO pleas
ing and his manner SO courteous that
she could not but feel pleased-when
she wanted to be irate, distant, and
stately,
They danced together several
times and, to the astonishment Of
many friends OF the young lady,
and of myself in particular, they
went down to supper the best of
best friends, laughing and Joking like
old acquaintance, Next day, how
ever. she resumed her original coldness
of manner when the brother and Sis
ter called to pay their respects. She
was simply polite, and no more, and
after two or three words they retired,
Miss Rand becoming as stiff and form
al as her new acquaintance. From
that day May became restless and dis.
contented, seating herself constantly
in the bay window and watching the
opposite house to see If patients came
or If Edmund Rand made any attempt
to call about in the neighborhooda and
introduce himself. :.
r One dayDr. Wood had been called to
q distance to see patient seriously ill,
and May sat at the window enjoying
her usual occupation. when suddenly
she discovered boy running toward
the house. She recognized him as .
boy employed by one of the principal
families of the town-a family with q
host of children, one OF whom at least
was constantly in bed from fits of in
DIGESTION.
The boy rang violently at the bell
and hastily inquired, upon the door
being opened by the servant. for DR..
Wood. =,
"He is not at home"
"He will be home directly" said
May, advancing quickly.
"Oh, but we can't wait! There's
little Peter been ard swallowed .
marble!" and away he rushed across
the street, evidentaly under instruct
ions, to the hated rivals house.
May retreated to the sitting-room
and cried with vexation; the enemy
had gained an entrance into the camp;
for If this family became his patients
others would be sure to follow; and
she looked out OF the window s---.-, inst
in time to see Edmund Ran
down the street.
But more was to come.
May belonged to Thursday even
ing whist party, where whist was the
exception and dancing the rule. On
the Thursday evening following DR..
Rand's first call she attended one,
when, horror of horrors! there was
that gentleman and his sister; and
worse than that when a quadrille was
being formed, he, of all others, came
to invite her to dance. May was a
lady, and as such could not refuse, 60
she took her place in the set.
Despite herself that evening she was
very much pleased with him. He was
we'll informed, had Travelled extensive
ly, was full of taste and feeling, and
and conversed with animation and
originality. He sought every oppor-
tunity of, addressing himself to her,
and found these opportunities with
out much difficulty. %. For several
Thursdays the same thing occurred,
for he was getting very popular and
was being invited everywhere.
One morning the father and daugh.
ter were alone at breakfast. May be.
gan to like her bay window better
than ever, and when the young doctor
came out she always returned his bow
| yith heightening color. that may have
Been the reflection of the roses that
surrounded her. DR.. Wood had been
j.called out at very early hour. and
had returned to breakfast in not the
best of humors.
II suppose shall die in the poor
house." said he, as he buttered his
toast with alarming irritability.
"This Rand is getting. all the practice
He got three Of my patients yester
"oh. papa, replied May. gently, 81
don't think.he has got, q dozen alto
gether."
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